Aida

Giuseppe Verdi

Janáček Theatre / Opera 04/10/2025 17:00

Two nations are at war, but in the middle of the battlefield a far more intimate drama is unfolding, and one that could have unexpected consequences. The Egyptian princess Amneris loves the commander Radamès. His love, however, belongs to the captive Aida, who no one knows is the princess of the hostile Ethiopian land. Unbeknownst to any of them, they will soon face a choice that will decide a matter of life and death…

Verdi’s Aida is one of his masterpieces and one that lacks none of the customary ingredients of romantic Italian opera – love, jealousy, political intrigue, large chorus scenes and inescapable tragic death. It goes without saying that a great singing cast, in this case including Csilla Boross, Sung Kyu Park, Luis Cansino and Aleš Jenis, goes hand in hand with this. This is also to be the first time that our company is to collaborate with our junior ballet company National Theatre Brno 2 on this production. It was Verdi who usually chose the themes to be set to his music, but in this case an offer came from outside. The opera was originally commissioned by the Egyptian Viceroy Isma´il Pasha for the ceremonial opening of the Suez Canal and for the newly built Khedivial Opera House in Cairo. Verdi was initially hesitant, but the theme of ancient Egypt based on a story by archaeologist Auguste Mariette finally attracted his attention, not because of the pomp it offered, but because of the intimate drama hidden beneath the layers of political intrigue. Thanks to this, he wrote a captivating story that remains relevant to this day and is full of impressive music, such as famous arias such as “Celeste Aida”, its triumphal march and the opera’s final heartbreaking quartet. Productions usually focus on the secret lovers Radamès and Aida, but it is interesting to look at the whole story through the eyes of Amneris and her love for Radamès, whom she is determined to win at any cost, unaware that the price will ultimately be human lives, including the life of her chosen one.

Premiere on 26 September 2025 at the Janáček Theatre

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Staged in the Italian original with Czech, English and German titles.

Synopsis

1. Act
Egypt has been attacked by the Ethiopians. In the Pharaoh’s palace in Memphis a decision is being made as to who would lead the Egyptian forces in battle against Ethiopia. Radames longs to be named commander, for should they win he would be granted the hand in marriage of the slave-girl Aida, with whom he is in love, not knowing that she is the daughter of the Ethiopian king. The Pharaoh’s daughter Amneris, who is in love with Radames, suspects his love for Aida. At the council of the deities Radames is indeed named commander. Aida is distraught, for the man she loves will lead his forces against her homeland, and she wishes for a victory by her people. In the temple Radames seeks the blessing of the gods before battle commences.

Act 2
Amneris wants to force Aida to admit her love for Radames, and she therefore pretends that he had fallen in battle. The desperate Aida does not reveal her secret until Amneris admits that she had lied and that Radames was alive. The Egyptian people welcome the victorious commander Radames. Aida recognises one of the prisoners as her father Amonasro. She begs Radames to free the prisoners, a request which the Pharaoh grants, keeping Aida and her father, whom nobody suspects to be the Ethiopian king, as guarantees of peace. As a reward for his victory, the Pharaoh offers Radames the hand of his daughter Amneris.

Act 3
In the Temple of Isis Amneris prays for the love of Radames. Aida awaits Radames on the shores of the Nile. Amonasro arrives and adjures Aida to find out where the Egyptian forces are coming from. Aida is forced to choose between her love for Radames and her father and homeland. When Radames once more convinces her of his love for her, she begs him to flee with her to her homeland. Radames agrees and tells her of a route that would not be protected by Egyptian forces. Amonasro steps out from his hiding place and announces himself as the king of the Ethiopians. Radames understands that he has unwillingly betrayed himself. Amonasro offers him an escape route with them. Their conversation is overheard by Amneris, who calls the guard. Radames allows Aida to escape with Amonasro and he gives himself up to the priests, admitting his treachery.

Act 4
Radames is to be tried for his treachery. Amneris offers him salvation should he renounce Aida. Radames refuses to live without Aida and is sentenced to be buried alive in the crypt of the temple. The tomb is shut and Radames awaits death. He discovers, however, that he is not alone. Aida, who had managed to escape and hide herself in the crypt, so that she could die together with Radames.

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